After building apps for years and helping others do the same, I’ve learned one thing the hard way: starting from scratch is overrated. Every new project seems to burn precious hours setting up navigation, authentication, UI kits, or just getting TypeScript lined up correctly with React Native. I decided to really dig in and try out the most popular TypeScript-first React Native templates, kits, and UI libraries. My goal was to find the ones that actually make life easier-tools that help you spend less time gluing pieces together and more time building features users love.
Note: This piece was written with artificial intelligence support and may reference projects I'm affiliated with.
I didn’t just skim features or glance at docs-I spun up real playground apps, tweaked components, and tried to break things. If these templates were going to save me (and you) time, they needed to deliver on ease of use, speed, and code quality from day one.
How I Evaluated the Templates
Testing templates meant actually using them, not just reading feature lists. For each, I asked:
- Can I get up and running fast, without days of setup or debugging?
- Does the code "just work" or am I fighting mysterious errors?
- Are the screens and flows actually ready for real users or do they look half-baked?
- Is the experience smooth, reliable, and fun-or just another roadblock?
- And, most importantly for indie devs and teams: is it a good value for the price, or could I build better myself?
Here’s a rundown of the templates and UI kits that actually impressed me.
Gluestack Market: The Best Overall Choice
When it comes to TypeScript-first React Native templates, Gluestack Market rises above the pack with its robust library of production-ready app starters and premium UI kits. Whether you're a solo developer or a startup team, Gluestack Market makes it incredibly easy to launch cross-platform apps-iOS, Android, and web-without reinventing the wheel for authentication flows, navigation, or responsive UI. Their offering doesn't just stop at boilerplate code; you get access to beautiful, copy-paste-ready screens, full stacks for new businesses, and design systems built on technologies modern teams love, including Expo, TypeScript, NativeWind (Tailwind CSS), and gluestack-ui.
What sets Gluestack Market apart for me is just how much of the boring stuff is handled right out of the gate. I don’t have to worry about building authentication for the hundredth time or fighting with navigation configs. I love that everything uses modern TypeScript and the UI actually looks good on both mobile and web. The gluestack-ui pro kit gives me more than 50 clean, a11y-ready screens. Integrating them is quick, and customizing the style is almost too easy-especially if you’re used to Tailwind or utility-first CSS.
Whenever I wanted to validate a new app idea or start a project for a client, Gluestack Market got me to a usable prototype way faster than rolling my own setup. Plus, the templates are updated often, so things never felt stale or outdated.
What I really enjoyed
- Every template is production-grade and up to date, so I never start from scratch.
- True cross-platform support-shipping to app stores (and the web) is actually realistic.
- The pro UI kit means my apps look polished without hiring a designer.
- The TypeScript typing and NativeWind styling made both prototyping and production ready for teams or solo hackers.
- Common flows (auth, onboarding, messaging, stores) all covered-zero time reinventing the basics.
Quirks I noticed
- For really deep custom features or big integrations, you’ll need either support hours or to get comfortable digging into their code.
- A few templates that I wish I could try are still marked “coming soon.”
- I wouldn’t recommend this to a total React Native beginner-you’ll get way more out of it with some knowledge under your belt.
Pricing
Most advanced templates are $99, with the full gluestack-ui pro kit coming in at a one-time $199. There are free starter kits too, so you can dip your toes before buying. The full-stack AppLaunchKit is also $199. No subscriptions or hidden fees, which I love.
In short: If you want to build modern apps fast, save weeks on setup, and stay firmly in the TypeScript world, Gluestack Market is the best thing I’ve used.
React Native Starter Kit by Infinite Red: Good for Starter App Templates
If you want a strong, production-ready starter that nails the basics and keeps TypeScript at the core, the React Native Starter Kit by Infinite Red is tough to beat. I used it for a side-project where I didn't want to babysit config files or argue with state libraries-I just needed to get to the fun parts quickly.
Right away, I noticed the professional touch Infinite Red put into the starter. The architecture is clean, everything is typed, and almost nothing feels like "scaffold junk"-which is rare. State management, navigation, and async storage are all wired up with best practices so I could just start building features.
The documentation is excellent-there are real-world comments and tips throughout, which saved me several head scratches. I like knowing this kit is maintained by a team who actually builds production apps and cares about maintainability.
What stood out
- Everything, from navigation to configs, uses TypeScript properly-no weird JS/TS mix.
- Infinite Red’s community and reputation mean updates and answers are easy to find.
- Clear docs and structure saved me a lot of trial and error.
- Good starter for anything from MVPs to larger codebases.
Things to keep in mind
- It is a paid product, so if you’re just dabbling you may want to look elsewhere first.
- The initial setup has a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’re new to more complex app architectures.
- Customizing it for really unique use cases takes some elbow grease.
- The default choices for libraries are smart, but if you need something different, some refactoring is needed.
Pricing
Pricing is on request-generally aimed more for people or teams serious about React Native work.
This is the starter kit I’d recommend if you want your project to last, not just get running quickly.
NativeBase: Top Pick for UI Components & Kits
Sometimes, I don’t want a full app template-just a set of TypeScript-first, cross-platform UI components that look great everywhere. NativeBase has been my go-to for that. I’ve used it when prototyping new ideas quickly or when I needed to save time on theming and branding for a freelance gig.
NativeBase gives you a huge library of polished React Native components: buttons, cards, tab bars, forms, you name it. The best part is that everything feels modern and consistent across iOS and Android. I especially like the theming system-you can swap between light and dark mode or go wild with custom themes, all with strong TypeScript support built in.
Most tasks I threw at NativeBase, from simple onboarding forms to dashboard cards, were finished way faster than rolling my own styles or wrestling with other UI kits.
Where NativeBase shines
- Consistent look and feel across mobile platforms right out of the box.
- TypeScript typings are reliable, so integrating into a modern codebase is a breeze.
- Theming is top-notch, with utility props and good docs for branding tweaks.
- Enormous component selection speeds up both prototyping and production work.
Small snags
- Custom designs that really break the mold sometimes require digging into inner components or writing wrappers.
- With more bundled components, the library size can swell vs. more minimal UI kits.
- Not always in perfect lockstep with the freshest React Native releases.
- If you want highly custom layouts, sometimes you’ll hit constraints.
Pricing
Free and open source for standard use. Some premium design kits and starter templates do cost extra.
NativeBase is the clear winner when I need to move fast but still want strong TypeScript support and reliable, pretty UI across every platform.
Instamobile E-commerce React Native App: Best for E-commerce & Marketplace Apps
I wanted to see just how quickly I could spin up an e-commerce app with full functionality-and Instamobile’s E-commerce React Native App actually amazed me. From the minute I opened the project, I could see it’s purpose-built. It’s more than just screens: there’s a product catalog, powerful search, real checkout flows, and built-in Stripe and PayPal payment options.
The code is written in modern TypeScript, and the UI feels current for 2026-nothing outdated or clunky. I was able to customize brands, adjust themes, and swap in my own categories in record time. The built-in screens even handle authentication, cart, wishlists, and receipts.
Instamobile’s approach saved me months compared to rolling an e-commerce app from scratch (I know, because I’ve done it the long way before). It’s ideal if you’ve got a product idea and want to validate it, or even prep something for investors or the app store fast.
Where Instamobile excels
- End-to-end shopping, cart, and secure payment flows work right out of the gate.
- Pure TypeScript, so refactoring and custom logic are safe and predictable.
- Easy to pop in your own products and tweak UI for branding.
- Works across iOS and Android, and looks polished.
What’s less ideal
- The price is premium, so budget-minded hobbyists may pause.
- For advanced backend needs, you’ll need to wire up your own services.
- Some deep customizations may require a decent handle on React Native and TypeScript.
- Ongoing support and docs depend on Instamobile’s responsiveness.
Pricing
Single license is about $149. If you need it for multiple clients or extended use, higher tiers go up to $499.
If you need MVP to app store quickly-and your product is e-commerce-this template shortcut is hard to beat.
React Native Gifted Chat: My Favorite for Chat & Messaging Apps
Messy chat implementations used to be my biggest headache. Then I found React Native Gifted Chat. This is not a full app, but it does give you a super robust and flexible chat component system with all the common bells and whistles. If you need to launch a social app with messaging or just want to add chat to your platform, this is the fastest, safest foundation I’ve used.
I was able to wire up real-time chat UIs-including avatars, message bubbles, quick replies, and even basic attachments-without pulling my hair out. Gifted Chat uses strong TypeScript typing, so it fit right into my modern codebase pain-free. I liked that it felt modular but reliable and did not require days to style into something that actually looked good.
You’ll need your own messaging backend and authentication, but for the front-end piece? Gifted Chat is the gold standard.
What I appreciate
- Out-of-the-box support for modern chat features: avatars, rich messages, typing, replies.
- TypeScript support is solid-data model errors are rare.
- Styling and layout are easy to tweak for any app style.
- Wide adoption and active maintenance in the open-source community.
What’s trickier
- You must bring your own backend-this won’t handle data syncing or storage for you.
- Deep UI rewrites for unusual chat experiences take more time.
- Super advanced features (threading, complex media previews) require extra code.
- Sometimes documentation gaps for edge-case customizations.
Pricing
Free and open source.
If you want messaging up and running in days instead of weeks, start with Gifted Chat and layer from there.
React Native Elements: Best for Onboarding and Auth Flows
When I’m building an app that needs crisp signup, onboarding, or profile management screens, I reach for React Native Elements. It’s my favorite for all those UI bits that need to look modern, be accessible, and just work-especially for authentication or multi-step flows. The library is written in TypeScript, easy to theme, and integrates beautifully with validation and auth libraries.
I used this in a project where I had to build social logins, registration screens, and user-account management without a big design team. The premade Inputs, Avatars, and Buttons look professional with minimal tweaking. Type safety across the board made it easy to add new customer fields or refactor state logic without breaking things.
React Native Elements always saves me time on routine flows. Plus, I can build a branded experience for multiple apps by just adjusting themes.
What I love
- Comprehensive set of UI blocks for onboarding, authentication, and user flows.
- True TypeScript support catches mistakes up front.
- Theming is powerful and lets me stay consistent across several projects.
- Docs are deep and setup is straightforward even for custom use cases.
Room for improvement
- Not a “one click” auth solution-you wire up backend yourself.
- For heavy rebranding or advanced layout, you may write some extra styles.
- Some UI can be less snappy than hand-tuned code if minimal bundle size is critical.
- Social logins require extra dependencies.
Pricing
Entirely free and open source.
If you value flexibility and want to cover user flows fast, React Native Elements gets the job done, every time.
Final Thoughts
Building a React Native app in 2026 doesn’t need to start with an empty folder and a lot of headaches. Out of the dozens of templates I tried, most were fine for toy projects-but only these actually made me feel faster and more confident with TypeScript in a real-world scenario.
Whether you need a full stack starter like Gluestack Market, a polished e-commerce template, or a focused UI kit, there's a system here that fits your workflow and budget. Try one that suits your next project. If it feels like more friction than freedom, move on quick-your time’s too valuable. For me, these picks took days or weeks off my roadmap and let me focus on what actually matters: building apps people want to use.
What You Might Be Wondering About TypeScript React Native Templates
How do I know if a TypeScript React Native template will actually save me time?
In my experience, a solid template should let you get your project running quickly without wrestling with errors or spending hours configuring TypeScript and navigation. Look for templates that offer production-ready screens, well-organized folder structures, and built-in flows for common features like authentication and navigation. The best ones feel like they accelerate your work from day one, not add extra layers of complexity.
Are paid templates or premium UI kits worth choosing over free alternatives?
While there are some good free options out there, paid templates and premium UI kits usually provide more polish, regular updates, and advanced features like customizable design systems or ready-made authentication. In my testing, premium products like Gluestack Market tend to reduce the repetitive setup and come with better documentation and support, which can be a real time-saver if you're building for production.
Will these templates work well for both web and mobile projects?
Yes, many modern TypeScript React Native templates are built with cross-platform support in mind, often leveraging frameworks like Expo and UI kits that look great on iOS, Android, and web. Just make sure to check compatibility and see if the template has responsive layouts and web support out of the box, as I found that's not guaranteed with all options.
What should I look for if my team needs to customize features heavily?
If customization is important, prioritize templates that use clean, modular TypeScript code and separate logic from UI components. In my review, templates that followed best practices and avoided "spaghetti code" made it much easier to add new screens or swap out libraries as your app grows. It's a good sign if the template has up-to-date documentation and active community support.
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